Craig Seganti- Teacher Leverage and Student Accountability

Comments (0)

Craig Seganti Operating Principles A student that disrupts the class is interfering with the class's right to learn A teacher is NOT in the classroom to argue with students Introduction Teachers need to place emphasis on actions in a classroom Rewards and warnings are counterproductive and a waste of time "If you want a long term teaching career you cannot battle disruption, noise and disrespect every day and also get your message across without leaving school feeling worn out. I wouldn't have lasted 20 years if I spent my time doing that." -Craig Seganti Venn Diagram Activity Teacher Leverage Where does classroom self-esteem come from? In your assigned groups, compare Seganti's operating principles to those of the different theorists we have discussed (Kagan, Jones, Morrish, Wong) using a Venn Diagram "Leverage" must establish that breaking the rules is simply not worth the effortLeverage: "Mr. Seganti's famous 15 minute detention after school" and suspension from classThree Reasons to give detention and/or suspend students from class:DefianceRepeated disruptionGross disrespectAlternative to after school detentiondetention during school timerecopy the rules as a classdetention schedule between teachers Suggested Rules Establishing Expectations & Doorway Tactics Types of Students Management Tactics Activity: Illustrate your assigned "student type". Be as creative as possible. You may draw, write a detailed description, do an interpretation, etc. Be prepared to share with the class! Everybody Draws! Umbridge Video Clip Everybody Writes Your group has been assigned an area that Seganti would want you to address in your class rules. As a group, determine what your specific rule would be; then act out a scenario that demonstrates (1)what a student following that rule would look like and (2)what a student NOT following that rule would look like.

*Be sure to make your rule visible somewhere in the classroom*You have five minutes to work in your group

Group 1- Coming into classGroup 2- DistractionsGroup 3- Acting in a respectful mannerGroup 4- End of class Started teaching in 1990 in the Los Angeles Unified School District, in some of the most "difficult" schools. Has taught Middle School and High School ESL Taught juvenile offenders in probation camps and interim schools Believes his approach to be "reality based", not theory based. His discipline plan allows teachers to actually teach, not just deal with endless misbehavior. As of 2009 he was still teaching in the LA school district and claims to go home relaxed and stress free every day. In your notebooks please answer the following questions for discussion. Role of Administrators/Parents On 1st day of class stop every student before they enter Hand each student a copy of your class rules Instruct them to sit down quietly and copy the rules on a sheet of paper If students are disrespectful or unprepared,do not let them through the door. If students are disruptive after entering,call them back to try entering again. Repeat this everyday until students enter your classroom in the correct manner Organize the room arrangement Cultivate quiet Be at the ready DressProfessionally Make eye-contact Give something back to students Organize procedures Listen to students Speak in statements Classroom Discipline 101: How to Get Control of Any Classroom (2008) Educate students Hold students accountablefor proper behavior Prepare Hold the line Keep 'em busy Review the rules Assess yourself Website: classroomdiscipline101.com Student A Student B Student C Polite and prepared. Letthem right in the room Basically respectful butcan be a bit rowdy. Take themaside before they enter the room. Disrespectful, arrogant, rowdy.Put them to the side when therest of the class enters and thenassign them seats. Take care of things Don't be manipulated What do you see as the major strengths of Seganti's approach? Do you feel it has significant shortcomings? How do you judge it would mesh with your personality and preferred teachings style? During this chapter we were reminded of our friend Dolores Umbridge from Harry Potter...... In case you forgot how delightful she was we have a brief clip from the film Keep administrators in the loop For the most part, parents will not be very helpful Paired Activity: Pair off within your groups. You will be handed a sheet with a classroom scenario on it. Act out a phone call between the teacher and parent in which you address the classroom behavior in a way Seganti would. You have five minutes. Student Accountability Students must be held accountable for behaviorTeacher must establish effective rules and be sure that they are understoodFocus solely on rules during first dayFirst assignment: copy the rules neatly and sign them Students are therein held responsible for their behavior and cannot say that they didn't know the rules Example Teacher: "Miguel, that is a 15 minute detention for chewing gum."

Miguel: "Whhaaattt?! I'm not chewing gum, bro!"

Teacher: "Fine, but you are giving the appearance of chewing gum. Chewing is against the rules. You have detention anyway. And you called me "bro", which is disrespectful. That's another 15 minutes."

Miguel: "This is crazy. I'm not coming to no detention. I'm not chewing gum" *sticks out tongue*

Teacher: "I do not argue with students. You are now suspended from my class for defiance and gross disrespect. Leave the room. You may return when you have served your two 15 minute detentions. I will be giving your mother a call tonight" “Anything less than obedience is defiance” Remember... Rules should refer to:1) Working on Task2) Distractions3) Beginning of class4) Being ready to work5) Miscellaneous class behavior6) Permissions/Procedures7) Requests/Directions8) The end of class9) A system of consequences10) Showing respect11) Proper seating Leave NO stone unturned Teachers should NOT confer with students about the rules to be used in the classroom Think, Pair, Share What Lemov techniques do you think Seganti would use in his classroom? Pick 2 or 3 techniques you think Seganti would employ in his classroom Preview: We will discuss...the attitude that "class is for learning"that disruptions interfere with the students right to education and a teacher's right to teachhow and why students are held accountable for behaviorthe leverage that enables teachers to enforce the rulesclassroom management techniques to help students learn to conduct themselves in a respectable manner.